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When you sign up with a betting operator, you will unmistakably come across and be offered a Free Bet. Is this free money? How does this work? Why are they being so generous?
These are the usual questions novice punters ask themselves. Although free bets do sound like getting money thrown at you for free, they don’t work that way. They are there to help you start and allow you to play through some games.
Let’s learn more about free bet offers and how they actually work.
One of the ways bookmakers attract customers is by offering them free bets. This usually comes as a part of a sign up bonus after the customers create an account with a certain operator. The new player will, in most cases, have to deposit a certain amount of money to fund their accounts in order to receive the free bets.
But a free bet does not mean free money. After receiving your sign up offer, you will have a certain amount of money to wager with. The amount credited to you is not redeemable cash. You can think of it as a starter pack to get you going.
Let’s say the new customer offer earns you £5 Free Bet. You then place a bet using that money. If you get it wrong and your bet is a losing one, you simply lose the money that you have wagered. But if your bet is a winning one, you can only withdraw the money that you have won with the help of the credited free bets - not the actual free bet amount.
So basically speaking, players receive the net winnings out of their wagers!
UK free bets are usually given out by bookies to attract new players. In return, players sign up with the operator and deposit funds with which they will be able to play in the future. Free bet offers also encourage players to stay with the operator and continue wagering with that same operator.
What bookmakers try doing is to get new players to create an account. A sign up offer is something that encourages them to do that. But how does one find a favourable bonus offer?
Bookies will carefully lay out the advertisements when it comes to their offers on the first page of the site. There are several types of bonuses that they provide. Most of them are aimed at new customers, but free bet offers for existing customers do exist. You can find the terms and conditions explained carefully in the promotions section.
Sports betting fans can browse through a variety of betting providers and see which type of offer they can get. A deposit bonus, free bets, a risk-free bet, or a deposit match are some of the usual types of promotions that players can be rewarded with. From here, it comes to personal terms. Each bettor has a different strategy and personal preference that they wish to attain.
Every player ultimately has to decide what they expect from the sign up offer. UK free bets vary from operator to operator and every one of them will give out different terms. Study the terms carefully, see if they are good for you and if they pay off, and you will ultimately reach a decision about signing up with a certain bookmaker.
A sign up offer for new customers is meant to attract new players to create an account with the betting provider. There are actually various ways that this can go, but the main part is being a new player who registers with the operator.
Most bookmakers would require the newly signed player to make a certain deposit before they can receive free bets. Only needing to sign up is rare, but there are operators that do have these types of free bet offers.
After all the requirements are met, free bets are credited to the player’s account, Players only need to fulfil the needed wagering requirements. The requirement usually comes with a time limit, as there is a certain time frame in which the free bets can be used up. Also, there may be specific betting markets that the players need to wager on.
From time to time, bookies tend to reward existing players with a specific special offer that can earn them free bets. These types of promotions are there to reward loyal bettors who have decided to stick with a certain operator long-term.
UK free bets for current players may differ in the amount. Nevertheless, the free bets for existing customers still hold significant value. They can be a gateway for greater winnings if you use them wisely.
One of the main differences between an offer for an existing customer as opposed to a sign up offer is the duration. An offer for new players will be there for a longer period of time. On the other hand, promotions for existing players are created for specific events or are there during a certain window of time. Players should act fast if they wish to obtain the promotion for existing players.
As with any other offer, it is crucial that players check the terms and conditions first before proceeding.
Your actions are what matters, meaning whatever you decide to do with your free bets will determine the outcome. There are two possibilities that could happen, either you win or lose. However, there are multiple types of free bets that can be offered by bookmakers. They all work in a similar manner but have slight differences between them.
Matched free bets are usually used by bettors after receiving a sign up offer. After a player receives a certain amount of free bets, they can back or lay any matchup that they want. But with matched betting, bettors can do both.
This means that they cover all the possible outcomes for a single matchup in order for their bet to be successful. Bettors usually use free bets to do that. To put it simply, if you have a match between Manchester United and Arsenal, you back Manchester and lay on Arsenal at the same time. No matter what the outcome is, you still get to be correct.
This is a popular technique that guarantees both new and current players to receive winnings. But the earnings are relatively smaller compared to regular types of betting.
A risk-free bet is a type of bet that bookmakers usually offer as a sign up offer. As the name suggests, you are avoiding a risk and aiming at getting some credit even if your bet loses.
So, for example, after signing up with a certain operator, you get some risk-free bets. You then place your initial wager on a certain event. If you are correct and your team wins, good for you. You will take what you’ve wagered and additional winnings. But if your bet loses, free bets will be credited back to you in the amount that the operator determines.
So as you can see, a risk-free bet essentially protects you from losing. However, in most cases, you can use it only for your first bet. But you still get to play with the free bets that you have earned.
Finally, it is best to view free bets as credit and not money, as you cannot withdraw them.
No deposit free bets are the most generous types of promotions that a bookie can provide new players with. When signing up with an operator, one usually has to deposit some funds to their virtual wallet in order to unlock a bonus offer. But with no deposit free bets, the only thing one has to do is register. You don’t need to fund your wallet at all.
However, the amount of funds that you get is relatively small. Bookmakers are already being generous enough by giving you something as a starter, so they don’t have to go big and give you a lot. Players can expect to receive something in the line of £5.
The same as with a risk-free bet, a no deposit bet will not be included in your winnings. This means that if you place a bet with the credited £5 no deposit bonus and win £15, you can only withdraw the £10.
As with any type of bonus, there are going to be some terms and conditions that you have to obey. Each betting provider has the right to impose its own rules. They are going to differ depending on the case and the promotion that they are going to offer, but there are some general rules that are similar or completely the same with these types of promotions.
Some typical terms and conditions include:
Free bets are usually offered to new players who create an account.
Users may need to make a deposit first in order for the free bets to be credited unless it is a no deposit type of bonus.
The amount of free bets credited to a user is not redeemable.
Free bets do have an expiration date and players have a limited time for using them after receiving them.
Certain wagering requirements may include minimum odds for sports events.
You don’t have to use the entire amount of free bets credited, but if you don’t they are forfeited.
No, free bets cannot be withdrawn. After you receive them, you can only play through it and wager. If you win, the free bets you have played with cannot be redeemed as part of the winnings.
It depends on the terms and conditions an operator has set. In most cases, free bets can be used on an accumulator. But if the operator has stated otherwise, like allowing them only for single bets, then you cannot use them on accas.
Yes, you can. Online betting providers usually allow the usage of the same type of promotion for the website version and the mobile app as well. So if a sign up offer that allows you to earn free bets exists on the website, then it is usually available for the app version.
There are multiple strategies when it comes to using free bets. One of the most popular ones is matched betting. As explained above, it basically allows you to cover all the angles by placing a bet on all possible outcomes using the credited free bets.
Usually, yes! Most operators give out free bets after a deposit. But there is a small number of them that give out no deposit free bets that can be acquired only after signing up with an operator.
Yes, they are. Free bets can be extremely valuable if you use them wisely. They can be a wonderful way for you to start betting with a certain provider and allow you to embark on your new betting adventure.
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Commercial Content | 18+ | T&C's Apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure*
